This was such a good book. I loved the story and the writing so much. The characters were great and the story flowed smoothly. Will definitely read more books by this author in the future

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy!

Book: Out Of The Woods
Author: Gregg Olsen
Rating: 4 stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟

Every now and then I like to switch it up with a true crime or thriller and this one definitely didn't disappoint.

I was a little shocked as I haven't read a Gregg Olsen book that covered these themes, but I do enjoy that his books cover all aspects of a crime. You get the views from everyone involved and nothing is sugar coated.

I really felt for the FMC and the situation she got put into and she had a very sad journey afterwards with a huge struggle in her healing process. This felt really real, dark, and sad.

You get:
• True Crime
• Kidnapped Children
• Held Hostage
• Dark Themes
• Lots Of Trauma
• Family Drama
• Can't Trust Anyone

I recommend this one for true crime lovers! Available on KU, ebook, paperback, and audiobook.

Gregg Olsen's Out of the Woods is a haunting and deeply moving true-crime narrative that chronicles the harrowing ordeal of Shasta Groene, who, at the age of eight, was abducted by a serial killer following the brutal murder of her family. Narrated with sensitivity by Karen Peakes, the audiobook brings to life Shasta's unimaginable journey through captivity and her subsequent struggle to reclaim her life from the shadows of trauma. Olsen's meticulous research, drawing from police records, interviews, and Shasta's own voice, offers an intimate portrayal of resilience and survival. The narrative doesn't shy away from the brutal realities Shasta faced, yet it also highlights her strength and determination to heal. Out of the Woods is an essential listen for those interested in stories of human endurance and the complexities of recovery after profound trauma.

This true crime story is horrifically disturbing and completely heart-wrenching. A very dark story of unimaginable trauma and ultimately, survival.

To say this was a difficult one to listen to is an understatement. Please take care if you're going to read this devastating true crime story. It depicts kidnapping, child abuse (of every kind), murder, drugs, and so much trauma. This story, while well written, will haunt me for a very long time.

It's such a sad, tragic story. I knew about this story, but Gregg Olsen really brings it to life. It's a true story about the murder of 3 people and the kidnapping of 2 little kids. Only one will make it "Out of the Woods." Not only does Shasta have to witness the tragic deaths of her older brother, her mother, and her stepfather, she has to endure horrific events that no child should have to experience.

This book broke my heart repeatedly. It won't be for everyone, due to the subject. Gregg Olsen doesn't only write about events during the kidnapping, he tells Shasta's entire story. The way she coped, her strained relationship with her father, and her understandable battle with addiction. I recommend listening to this book, Karen Peakes is fantastic.

This book was so powerful. I teared up a few times listening to how hard it was for Shasta to make it in the world after everything that happened to her and how poorly she was treated as a victim of something so horrible. The fact that this is a true story breaks my heart so much for her and anyone else that has been through something like this. This author has amazing writing, I remember reading “if you tell” by him and I was equally sucked in by his story telling skills and the way he presents the information. I def recommend picking this one up it was so good!

Holy s***. This book was dark. I mean dark, dark. Like sometimes I had to pause and come back because I couldn't stomach it. Then to find out this was a true story was a horror I can't explain.

I am finding it hards to put into words my feelings for this book while knowing that the victims in this book are real. Real people with real lives, experiences, and trauma. To say this was a "good book" feels vile.

So, I will say this, this book was written extremely well and it felt as though the author researched the story HEAVILY. It felt like I was reading an entry from the survivor's own diary.

It was dark. Heavy. Gut wrenching. Vile. Horrific.

I would highly suggest looking up the trigger warnings for this book before reading it.

This was fantastic. I really enjoyed it and couldn’t stop listening. I was hooked from the first minute! The narration was wonderful. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this audiobook.

Gregg Olson has a way of drawing you into these stories. Everything feels so real. I have read hai previous book (If You Tell) and I actually had to take breaks.

The way he takes you on a journey and you learn about these characters and all the twists and turns… is beyond impressive.

If you are looking for an immersive book that will have you on the edge of your seat but also makes you truly think about the world around you- then read this!

Heartbreaking and disturbing. I could not believe what I was hearing. I am so sad for Shasta and hope that she is healing now. It was written very well, and left me completely speechless

CAUTION: This is an intense and difficult read. It’s a true crime story involving kidnapping, murder, horrific child abuse, poverty, drugs, and trauma. Shasta Groene’s story is unforgettable and stays with you long after the last page, which i've come to expect from Olsen. Overall, love his style of taking true stories that are difficult and making them easier to consume and understand.

Heartbreaking Story, Uneven Delivery

Rating: ★★★☆☆

This is one of the most haunting true crime cases I’ve ever read about. The abduction of Shasta and Dylan Groene is absolutely devastating, and the details Gregg Olsen includes show the resilience of a child facing unimaginable trauma. The human side of this story is what kept me reading.

However, the writing felt uneven and at times disorganized. I also listened to the audio edition, and unfortunately the narration style did not help—it made the weaker points in the structure stand out more. Still, Shasta’s story is powerful, and I appreciated the chance to learn more about her survival and ongoing battle to heal.

Shasta and Dylan were young children when serial killer Joseph Edward Duncan killed their family and kidnapped them taking them to an Idaho public forest. While Shasta survived after 48 days of abuse, this book tells the story both of the ordeal and the complicated years to follow where Shasta struggled with her trauma.

This story was definitely dark, but I liked how it covers the real consequences and trajectory of recovering from trauma. It is way more complicated and messy than we like to think, and this definitely encompassed that perspective. I will say the time jumps made it a bit hard to follow the overall story. While I do think they were necessary to capture everything and not bombard the reader with information, I feel they could've been labeled better for ease in knowing where the reader is within the timeline of events. I may have been particularly sensitive to this since I was completely unfamiliar with this story.

The audiobook was well done. The narrator handled the dark subject matter well and with a steady but engaging voice.

4 star

Thank you NetGalley and Publisher for allowing me to read and review this book.

This was a difficult read. Shasta Groene experienced more trauma in her young life than any human being should ever have to endure, and my heart was breaking for her throughout the whole book. I even debated not finishing it.

The true nature of Shasta’s story in Out of the Woods broke my heart. Her strength and resilience in the face of unimaginable circumstances are awe-inspiring, and I’m grateful she has a voice to share her experiences. Gregg Olsen handled her story with incredible care and sensitivity, giving the reader insight into both her trauma and her journey toward healing.

I can’t say I loved this book, it’s a heavy, emotional read but I deeply respect it and Shasta’s courage. At times, the narrative felt like it was jumping around, and I had to piece the timeline together, which made it a challenging read. Given the nature of the story, however, I understand why it’s structured that way. This is an important and impactful book that gives voice to a survivor who endured far more than anyone should.

This was a tough read. Hard to hear the words of what was done to this precious 8 year old girl. Although difficult to listen to, I thought the author did a great job telling Shasta’s heart-wrenching story. The narration was engaging and although tough to listen too, it was well narrated. Thanks to NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing for the early audible arc.

"Out of the Woods" by Gregg Olsen is a heavy true crime-story that lingers long after the final chapter. Olsen dives deep into the lifelong battle that trauma survivors face, capturing the raw conflict between self-preservation and self-betrayal. The narrative doesn’t shy away from exposing the cracks in our health care systems, making a powerful case for the urgent changes needed to truly support survivors. The narrator does a remarkable job of bringing emotion into every scene, making you feel as if you’re right there, watching events unfold. A gripping, sobering experience that is as important as it is unforgettable.

Out of the Woods by Gregg Olsen is both raw and angering. Raw for the unflinching emotions laid bare, and for the courage it took to recount—in such vivid, painful detail—the events of Shasta’s abduction and the harrowing aftermath of her return home. Angering because the system failed her, her family, and the many others whose lives were stolen by a predatory pedophile.

It’s infuriating to read about how Shasta’s father treated her in the years after her return, or how she was placed in a facility that caused more harm than healing. Shasta witnessed unimaginable horrors—both to her family and to herself—and survived experiences that no child should endure. Her homecoming was far from a fairy tale; it took years before she was able to access the help she desperately needed.

This book is not only a testament to Shasta’s resilience, but also a step forward in her journey toward healing. As with many of Gregg Olsen’s works, reading it is a catch-22—the storytelling is riveting, yet it’s impossible to forget that these events happened to a real person whose suffering was very real.

Powerful, gut-wrenching, and deeply human, Out of the Woods is a reminder that survival is only the first step in a much longer battle.
Thank you NetGalley, Brilliance Audio, and Gregg Olsen for allowing me the opportunity to read this advance audio copy of Out of the Woods and to provide my honest feedback.

This is definitely a hard one to read, I had no idea it was a nonfiction, which is not truly my favorite genre. I did not finish this one as I did not find myself enjoying and it was highly brutal. It was definitely interesting and I commend the author for writing it and for the victim for sharing her story but this is very difficult to read especially knowing it really happened.

It’s hard to even find the right words for this one. It was rough to listen to, and I now have a newfound hate for a Mormon rehab that thankfully no longer exists.

I went into this audiobook with zero knowledge of Shasta or what she went through, so to say it was shocking is an understatement. The book focuses on her trauma and the reasons behind some of her life choices, without making excuses for her behavior.

The narrator did well overall. For true crime, I think straightforward delivery works best, so the tonal changes for male voices felt unnecessary.

Calling Shasta’s story heartbreaking doesn’t even cover it. She endured every child’s worst nightmare, then multiply that by ten. On top of that, many people in her life failed her. Her childhood wasn’t great even before she was kidnapped, but she was still close with her mom and clearly very intelligent.

The book doesn’t sugarcoat anything, even when it’s almost too much to take in. Her therapists and counselors could barely handle her story. The sections about her time in an Utah rehab were especially striking, as they clearly shaped the path her life took.

If you can handle the subject matter, I recommend it, just know it bounces around, so you’ll want to pay close attention.

Thanks to NetGalley, Brilliance Publishing, and Brilliance Audio for the opportunity to listen.